Ideas and Insight supporting all stages of Drug Discovery & Development

The number of vaccines in the pipeline to battle the severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has reached to
>70 candidates [1,2]. Many different vaccination strategies are being
tested, even a noncoronavirus-specific candidate (Bacille Calmette-Guerin
vaccine) [2,3] is being investigated because of its potential to promote a less
inflammatory immune response to respiratory pathogens [2]. However, a SARS-Cov-2–specific
vaccine will likely be a better strategy.

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case and death
count climbing [1] despite multiple industry shutdowns and extensive social
distancing efforts, it has become clear that a vaccine is required to control the
spread of the COVID-19 causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many
different researchers, institutes and companies specializing in vaccine
development across the world have entered the race and announced a candidate,
resulting in an astonishingly large number (>70) of vaccines in the pipeline
[2,3].

Knowing if and how rapidly an emerging pathogen will spread
through a population enables public health officials to make well-informed
decisions to protect the public. Mathematical modeling can provide them this
means to predict pathogen spread, but modeling previously unheard of pathogens,
like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is
challenging.

Currently there is no
miracle drug out there to cure COVID-19 [1]. Drugs such as the anti-malarial
hydroxychloroquine have shown to be helpful based on “anecdotal evidence” [2]. However,
scientists are still debating its efficacy, and some have warned of the dangers
of authorizing the use of such drugs too quickly in the absence of wider
studies. The side effects can be severe – especially in the case of overdose.
Much more research is needed, but time is short, and the use of model
simulations based on patient specifics and for diverse candidate drugs could be
a game changer.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is now
present in 230 countries, areas or territories around the world. As of April 15,
2020, the World Health Organization has reported 117,021 deaths [1].
Researchers across the globe are collaborating to develop antivirals and
vaccines. In this context, understanding the vast amount of data published on
SARS-CoV and other viruses is key to tackling the challenge of containing the
2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).